"Mr. Clendon! I believe you to be a sensible man. If my belief is correct, stop laughing and listen to me."
Toby became as serious as a judge at once.
"I am not blind," continued Mrs. Belswin, looking at him, "and I can see plainly what is going on. As you know, I am responsible to Sir Rupert Pethram for his daughter's well-being, and this sort of thing won't do."
"What sort of thing?" asked Toby, innocently.
"Oh, you know well enough. Mr. Maxwell making love to my charge is ridiculous. Sir Rupert would never consent to his daughter marrying a poor engineer, and I'm not going to have Kaituna's happiness marred for a foolish love-affair."
"But what can I do?"
"Discontinue your visits here, and tell your friend to do the same."
"He won't do what I ask him."
"Then I'll take Kaituna away."
"It's no use. He'll follow. Archie's the most obstinate fellow in the world, and he's too much in love with Miss Pethram to give her up without a struggle. Why, do you know, Mrs. Belswin, he gave up a good billet at Buenos Ayres because it would have taken him away from her."